Tyrone High School senior Daniel Domenick recently attended the National Young Leaders Conference from March 2-7 in Washington, D.C.
Domenick was chosen to attend the conference based on scholastic merit, community involvement and leadership contributions.
Students who attended the conference worked through many issues facing the country today in a series of simulations and met face-to-face with members of U.S. Congress or their staff as well as other influential personalities.
“It was important for me to attend the conference so that I could experience the intricacies of our federal government,” explained Domenick. “I learned how much work our lawmakers really put forth to run our country and I also learned what it\’s like to meet new people with different backgrounds. I gained many great friendships with all the people I got to know during my time there.”
Domenick said that while at the conference he was able to meet with such people as U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and House Representative Rick Renzi, along with the numerous students who attended. According to Domenick, approximately 400 students attended the conference.
“I gained great perspective from this conference as to what my responsibilities are for me to be able to be the positive leader that I dream of being,” added Domenick.
Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors NYLC said, “By participating in the National Young Leaders Conference, students like Daniel Domenick will become better equipped to address the challenges facing communities around the world.
“Rarely does someone so young come to our nation’s capital to interact with today’s elected officials, presidential appointees and nationally recognized opinion makers. This program offers young leaders Washington, D.C. as their classroom.”
U.S. Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona provided the students with insights into the immense issues tackled by Congress.
Renzi told the students, “I believe your generation has great courage. Never before have the times required such strength and determination of its young people. In fact, you have all set yourself on a course of leadership by coming to Washington and participating in this conference.
“To continue aiming at a high level of contribution, I encourage you to be avid readers. The more you know about business, academics and politics, the easier you’ll find success.”
Because leadership goes beyond what happens on Capitol Hill, Domenick had the opportunity to interact with a panel of renowned journalists from Washington’s press corps, including Ann McFeaters of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, John Mulligan of the Providence Journal, April Ryun of American Urban Radio Network and Bill Sammon of The Washington Times.
Students had the chance to ask questions regarding national and international current events, ethics in journalism and advice on how to start a career in the news industry.
CYLC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan leadership education organization.
Founded in 1985, the Council is committed to fostering and inspiring young people to achieve their full leadership potential. More than 400 members of the U.S. Congress join this commitment by serving on the CYLC Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors.
In addition, more than 40 embassies participate in the Council’s Honorary Board of Embassies.
For additional information, visit www.cylc.org.
Besides an interest in politics, Domenick’s current school activities include: track, National Honor Society, weightlifting, peer jury, student council and Latin Club. He has also been involved in basketball and cross country. His current interests include playing the piano, writing and video games.
He graduates this year and plans on attending St. Francis in the fall, majoring in political science with a concentration in pre-law.
His future goals are to graduate from Georgetown Law School and then to argue Constitutional Law in Washington, D.C.
Domenick said he would like to thank all of his family members and friends for all of their love and support throughout the years.
